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I am looking to take the family (three teens) on a christmas markets cruise down the Rhine this year, but the earliest we can start is around 17th december, which will have us sailing right into Christmas. Can someone tell me when these markets close, are we going to end up ship bound? Also thinking of ending the cruise with three or four days in Prague right at Christmas - do shops and restaurants close down? is it a good time to be there?
Many thanks!
When is it too late to cruise Rhine Christmas markets?
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Cant help with Prague, but I believe most xmas markets are open until the 23 - with some open on the 24 for at least part of the day. Some re-open after xmas but you would need to check.
Here is a good site to look up the dates and times:
http://www.germany-christmas-market.org.uk/augsburg_christmas_market.htm
Hope this helps!
Only thing I might suggest is that your children will probably be the only kids on board (if I'm wrong, please someone correct me!) My bf went on a Rhine Cruise a few years ago with his parents; he was in his mid 40s and the youngest passenger by quite some way.
Can't help with Praque either, but in Germany things really start winding down or closing by Dec. 23rd in the markets I've been to. Earlier is much better as there is not only more variety in the markets, but stalls and the large moving decorations are still up and running.
Spent Christmas in Krakow a couple of years ago and the city was alive with activity. Christmas market was open and people throughout the city. Was in Prague Dec 27 and 28 on the same trip. Christmas markets was also still open and the city was abuzz. Can't say on Christmas day though.
Thanks for all the tips. Maybe should just do a Prague/Krakow land trip.
The smaller towns will only have their Christmas markets on for a weekend usually, and this will be on various weekends. Rüedesheim goes the whole 4 weeks of Advent, as does Mainz, Wiesbaden and Frankfurt. Many will have their last day on the 22nd, some on the 23rd.
Does it have to be a cruise? Why not take trains in between the markets you want to visit. Otherwise, you limit yourself to towns that are connected by the same river and spend a lot of time getting to them.
This is my favorite website to find Christmas markets for all of Germany, divided by the different States. Though in German, you can find the dates and towns, with their respective websites. Also useful for other festivals all through the year.
http://www.weihnachtsmaerkte-in-deutschland.de/
Speyer is the only market I am aware of that goes into the first of the New Year, but that's not going to work if you are on a cruise.